Comparison of Radar Detectors: Valentine 1 & Escort Passport 8500 ??
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From: San Gabriel, California
Comparison of Radar Detectors: Valentine 1 & Escort Passport 8500 ??
Need help Please!!
Owners who are currently using either one of these radar Detectors ( Valentine 1 or Escort Passport 8500 )
Please provide some suggestions on your opinions ?? Which one is a better unit? Why ? Thank you !!!
Owners who are currently using either one of these radar Detectors ( Valentine 1 or Escort Passport 8500 )
Please provide some suggestions on your opinions ?? Which one is a better unit? Why ? Thank you !!!
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,389
Likes: 5
From: Connecticut
Oh no - not again
Everyone will have their own opinion. Here's mine. 
Both detectors you listed are EXCELLENT detectors. You really can't lose buying either one.
For me, the arrows on the Valentine 1 make it WELL worth the extra money. They give you a good sense of where the radar is (am I past it yet?) and the "bogey counter" lets you know if there is still more threat ahead.
If you are driving along and get a signal for a while it is nice to know when you are passing it so you can look and see what it is. Is it a cop or just an alarm system?
Most magazines rate the V1 as having slightly better sensitivity/range.
Here is how Car & Driver rated the detectors:
1st VALENTINE ONE 97
2nd ESCORT PASSPORT 8500 73
3rd BEL 980 61
4th COBRA XR-1050 43
5th WHISTLER 1780 35
6th UNIDEN LRD 987 34
The Escort is more economical and is great unit. Measured as "bang for the buck" it may be a better deal than the V1.
The choice between these two detctors can become a bit of a religious issue. I think that is mostly because BOTH of them are great so both of them have adamant fans. For me the directional arrows and bogey counter make the V1 my preference.
By the way... do not go by radartest.com. Their bias is well known and documented. Their reviews contain bias/errors that have been reported to them and yet remain in their reviews. It seems the guy behind radar test.com has some bad blood with the Valentine.
Both detectors you listed are EXCELLENT detectors. You really can't lose buying either one.
For me, the arrows on the Valentine 1 make it WELL worth the extra money. They give you a good sense of where the radar is (am I past it yet?) and the "bogey counter" lets you know if there is still more threat ahead.
If you are driving along and get a signal for a while it is nice to know when you are passing it so you can look and see what it is. Is it a cop or just an alarm system?
Most magazines rate the V1 as having slightly better sensitivity/range.
Here is how Car & Driver rated the detectors:
1st VALENTINE ONE 97
2nd ESCORT PASSPORT 8500 73
3rd BEL 980 61
4th COBRA XR-1050 43
5th WHISTLER 1780 35
6th UNIDEN LRD 987 34
The Escort is more economical and is great unit. Measured as "bang for the buck" it may be a better deal than the V1.
The choice between these two detctors can become a bit of a religious issue. I think that is mostly because BOTH of them are great so both of them have adamant fans. For me the directional arrows and bogey counter make the V1 my preference.
By the way... do not go by radartest.com. Their bias is well known and documented. Their reviews contain bias/errors that have been reported to them and yet remain in their reviews. It seems the guy behind radar test.com has some bad blood with the Valentine.
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